DURHAM, N.H. – Senior Cathy Parker (Westford, Mass.), of the University of New Hampshire women’s cross country team, is heading back to the NCAA National Championships for the second straight year after receiving one of only two individual at-large bids for the entire country.

Parker finished eighth at the 254-runner NCAA Division I New England Regional Cross Country Championship on Saturday at Harvard University.

Cathy Parker

Parker finished the six kilometer course in a time of 20 minutes, 57.30 seconds. That performance earned her one of two at-large bids for the entire country given out to individuals who missed out on an automatic bid.

Since 1996, UNH’s cross country program has sent four different runners to the NCAAs. Of the four, Parker is the only member of the women’s team, as well as the only one to go twice.

Parker will run in her second NCAA National Championship on Monday, Nov. 19 in Terre Haute, Ind. The rest of the Wildcats will return to action Saturday, Nov. 17 at the ECAC Championships.